Craig Levein '˜would have hated to see froth and fury if Celtic had lost'

Craig Levein walks across the Hearts pitch ahead of the clash with Celtic. Picture: SNS Group

Rodgers claimed he was “embarrassed” by the pitch after his team’s 3-1 victory over Hearts on Sunday, as he revealed the length of the grass had forced him to ditch his normal tactic of building from the back and playing more direct instead.

But Levein has hit back at the Celtic manager and argued he was well within his rights to keep the grass slightly longer than usual against the big-spending Ladbrokes Premiership champions.

“I sat with Brendan for 20 minutes after the game and he never mentioned it,” Levein said.

“I would have hated to see the fury and the froth if they had actually lost the game.

“If we want to talk about a level playing field, if they bring a team through here that earn the same money as our players do, then we will put them out on the pitch and see who wins.

“There is not a level playing field in Scotland and I make no apologies for staying within the rules and trying to win the game. None at all.

“He can moan and bleat all he wants, it will be the same again next season.”

Levein added: “I just get disappointed that Brendan can set his team up and his pitch up any way he wants.

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“As long as we stay within the rules, then I don’t know what he’s bleating about. Celtic prepare their pitch the way they want it. It’s all a nonsense really.”

Hearts have committed almost £1 million to laying a new hybrid pitch in the close season but Levein warned Rodgers not to expect the grass to be any different on his next visit.

“We’ll just let it grow,” he said.

Levein also confirmed Hearts would challenge any potential ban for Steven Naismith after it emerged that Scottish FA compliance officer Tony McGlennan was considering action over the forward’s tackle on Celtic skipper Scott Brown.